Interim leader to help with 'big things'

Interim administrator Susan McGough of The Memorial Hospital is no stranger to management.

This is McGough's first position with Quorum Health Services, the management company for the hospital, and she plans to work hard at it for the time she is here, she said.

"It's easy to have a high energy level doing this," she said. "I like to work really hard for a short period of time."

McGough, 52, is expected to serve as the hospital's administrator for about three months.

During that time, hospital board members will choose candidates supplied by Quorum to fill the hospital's highest administrative position. Former administrator Randy Phelps resigned late last month after 18 years with the hospital.

McGough has eight years of experience as a chief executive officer for hospitals in Oregon and Idaho. Her background also includes 17 years of hospital experience in Texas, some of which was in administration, she said. McGough holds a master's degree in health administration, a shift she decided to pursue after starting her career as a medical technician in Texas.

While she fills in, McGough said she aims to keep with hospital goals of providing patient safety and patient care.

Another priority is to further the hospital's fund-raising campaign to build a new hospital.

"No one expects me to do the day in and day out work," she said. "I'm going to work on advancing the hospital in the big things."

McGough shared her observations about some of the hospital's operations. She said she was impressed that patients had nutritional options and that meals could be requested at any time of the day. McGough also said the hospital's new equipment and the work done by hospital officials to stretch grant dollars are impressive.

McGough said she would not be a candidate for the permanent administrator position. She praised Quorum's ability at finding good candidates for the position.

Board members are compiling lists of attributes that they think will be a good match for The Memorial Hospital.

Quorum officials will use those guides in finding candidates for hospital board members to choose from.

McGough said she expects the process to last about three months, though it may take longer.